Cocoa is an important cash crop that contributes significantly to earnings from agriculture in the Nigerian economy. Developing an enterprise in this cash crop requires the use of proper management practices. This study investigated the socioeconomic profile of the cocoa farmers; the types of management practices used among the farmers; and the constraints faced by farmers on cocoa management practices in the study area. Both purposive and simple random techniques, in a four-stage sampling procedure, were used to select one hundred and sixty cocoa farmers for the study. Descriptive statistical tools such as precision counts, frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the data; while Chi-Square analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The results showed that the respondents were predominantly male and married with majority of them having above primary school education, and mean age of 54.10 years. The mean household size was 7 persons, farm size ranged from 1.5 to 23 acres (mean = 7 acre). Planting of plantain (M=3.84), pruning (M=3.59) and regulated cutting of trees (M=3.37) were ranked high among the management practices used by the farmers. Non-availability of planting material (M=3.88) and problem of pest and diseases (M=3.74)were perceived as the major constraints facing the cocoa management practices. Chi-Square analysis showed that Level of education was significantly related to the management practices used by the cocoa farmers at r≤ 0.01. The study concluded that even though the farmers were in tune with the use of cocoa production management practices, nonetheless, there were some limiting factors such as non-availability of planting materials and pest and diseases affecting the cocoa production in the study area. It was therefore recommended that extension training for farmers should be geared towards pre-planting and post-planting management practices as well as access to adequate planting materials.

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The study assessed the determinants of the use of Ethno-Veterinary Management (EVM) practices among sheep and goats farmers in southwest, Nigeria. A validated interview schedule was used to source information from one hundred and twenty farmers for the study. Data were collected on selected farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, various EVM practices and constraints encountered on the use of various EVM practices. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, percentage, means, standard deviation and ranking were employed to summarize the data. Binomial logit regression analysis was employed to assess the determinants of the use of EVM practices among sheep and goats farmers. The study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 32.7 years with 58.3% males. Also, 91.7% were able to read and write and the mean household size was 4 while 40% received information on EVM practices. The common diseases and pests of sheep and goats in the study area were foot rot, mastitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, trypanosomiasis, ticks, fleas and mites. Common EVM practices employed by the farmers were: the use of spent engine oil, kerosene, oil extracts of palm oil vernonia conferta leaves etc. Age and sex had negative relationships with the use of EVM practices at 5% level of significance while educational level, household size, farming experience, sources of information on EVM practices had positive significant relationships with the use of EVM practices. Insufficient fund was the major constraint hindering the rearing of sheep and goats in the study area. It was concluded that small ruminants’ farmers did manage their stocks employing some EVM practices and sensitize farmers on the efficacy of some EVM practices. Government should encourage veterinary practices which will integrate western medicines and EVM practices together for the use of small ruminants’ farmers.

Inability of fish farmers in Nigeria to produce at a rate that can meet the population demand has been linked to lack of access to crucial information on improved fish farming technique. Information is an indispensable factor in fish farming and it is the basis of extension service delivery. This study was designed to describe demographic characteristic of fish farmers, identify sources of various information to fish farmers and identify information access constraints faced by farmers. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select 2 States and a total of 160 respondents were selected for the study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation and Chi-Square (X2) was used for inferential statistics. Result revealed that mean age was 44.8 years, 77.5% were male, only 7.5% have no formal education and 98.1% were full time fish farmers. About 25.0% received information frequently, 50.6% rarely while 24.4% never received information from extension agents. Inadequate of extension contact was identified by 88.8% of the respondents as information access constraint. Chi-Square analysis showed significant relationship (X2 = 13.426, p = 0.016) between source of information and utilization of information.

This study assessed the activities of women in processing and preservation of catfish in Ijebu-Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. A three-stage random sampling technique was employed to select a total of 120 respondents for the study. The data collected were analysed with both descriptive statistics and correlation model. The mean age of the respondents was 54 years with a mean of nine years of catfish processing and preservation experience. The annual mean income was N107, 587.50. Findings also show that respondents’ levels of involvement in processing and preservation methods such as smoking and salting were high. There was a positive and significant relationship between respondents’ age (r= 0.003; p=0.034), annual income (r= 0.012; p=0.030), household size (r= 0.232; p=0.011) and their level of involvement in catfish preservation at 5% level of significance. The results of correlation analysis also show that a significant relationship exists between respondents’ perceived benefits and their level of involvement in catfish processing and preservation. The study concludes that, although the level of involvement of women in catfish preservation methods was high, low income was realized from the venture when compared with the minimum wage of N18,000 that government workers earn in the study area. It therefore recommends upgrading the methods and facilities used for the preservation and preserving catfish.

Nigeria has a population of about 150 million people, which increases annually. This makes her rank among the fastest growing population in the world. Rice is the most staple food for Nigerians and most people all over the world. There is a huge competition for rice consumption. In recent years, rice production has been expanding at the rate of 6% per annum in Nigeria. With 70 percent of the production increase been attributed to land expansion and only 30 percent been attributed to increase in productivity. The New Rice for Africa (NERICA) was specifically bred by scientist of West Africa Rice Centre (WARDA)) to address the problem of low productivity of upland rice in Sub-saharan Africa. It was introduced to Nigeria in 2002 and the rice has unique characteristics such as shorter duration, high yields, tolerant to major stress, higher protein and good taste compare to the traditional rice varieties. The study was carried out to evaluate farmers' adoption of NERICA rice production and its impact on productivity of upland rice. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents for the study. The socioeconomic characteristics and perceived constraints to increase productivity were ascertained using descriptive statistics to analyse the data. The effect of attitude on productivity was also derived in the course of the study. The result showed that NERICA has a high yield compared to other form of varieties with a significant value of 1% and t-value of 2.065. The Pearson product moment correlation analysis shows that the coefficient between productivity (income) and attitude of respondents towards NERICA is 0.661 at a significant value of 0.000 (1%).

Assessing the level farmers’ usage of fertilizer deep placement is important to improve the efficiency of soil nutrient. Extension organisations responsible for the dissemination of the technology will immensely benefit by knowing the level of usage of the technology for future extension programme implementation. In light of this, we examined the use of urea deep placement technology among rice farmers. Frequency count was used to identify rice farmers that use Urea Deep Placement technology and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was employed to determine factors associated to use of the technology. The study found that majority (85.8%) were aware of UDP technology between the year 2012 to 2013 (61.6%) mainly through agricultural extension agents (55%) and fellow farmers (25%). Majority (81.7%) tried it but few (11.7%) adopted it. Labour intensiveness (58.3%) is one of the reasons for non-adoption while the few adopters (10%) adopted because the technology increases productivity. Age of farmers is positively related the use of UDP technology. The study focuses on the use of urea deep placement technology provided by extension services among farmers; however, these farmers may have an interest in other types of fertilizer and methods of application that have not been investigated. The study provides an insight to show the usage of UDP among farmers engaged in rice production as a means to improve the efficiency of soil nutrient.

Technology usage has been identified as a major driver of increased productivity, waste management and economic efficiency. However, there seems to be some barriers to technology usage among rural women cassava processors Nigeria. This study therefore analyzed the characteristics and constraints to technology usage among rural women processors in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 120 respondents from six districts, namely Igbaja, Idofin, OkeOde, Omupo, Ora and Share. Primary data were used for the study and the data were collected by means of an interview schedule. Descriptive statistical tools, such as precision counts, frequencies and percentages, were used in analyzing the data, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed the level of usage of cassava processing among rural women in the study area is moderately high. Major constraints to the adoption of cassava processing technologies includes: high cost of machines and maintenance, low level awareness and training, as well as inadequate finance. PPMC analysis showed that educational level and cassava processing experience was significantly related to the usage of improved cassava processing technologies in the study area with p≤ 0.05. Based on findings, training and effective monitoring by relevant stakeholders, adequate financing, sensitization and enlightenment campaigns will further boost cassava processors knowledge and attitude towards cassava processing technologies and automatically increase usage by the respondents.